Amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) has orthologs of vertebrate odorant receptors |
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Authors: | Allison M Churcher and John S Taylor |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Box 3020, Station CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 3N5, Canada |
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Abstract: | Background A common feature of chemosensory systems is the involvement of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the detection of environmental
stimuli. Several lineages of GPCRs are involved in vertebrate olfaction, including trace amine-associated receptors, type
1 and 2 vomeronasal receptors and odorant receptors (ORs). Gene duplication and gene loss in different vertebrate lineages
have lead to an enormous amount of variation in OR gene repertoire among species; some fish have fewer than 100 OR genes,
while some mammals possess more than 1000. Fascinating features of the vertebrate olfactory system include allelic exclusion,
where each olfactory neuron expresses only a single OR gene, and axonal guidance where neurons expressing the same receptor
project axons to common glomerulae. By identifying homologous ORs in vertebrate and in non-vertebrate chordates, we hope to
expose ancestral features of the chordate olfactory system that will help us to better understand the evolution of the receptors
themselves and of the cellular components of the olfactory system. |
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